COLOMBIA: Colombian singer Shakira kicks off Colombian leg of her Latin American tour in her hometown

Record ID: 585698

  • Title: COLOMBIA: Colombian singer Shakira kicks off Colombian leg of her Latin American tour in her hometown
  • Date: 23rd November 2006
  • Summary: BARRANQUILLA, COLOMBIA (NOVEMBER 15, 2006) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ENTERING THE CONCERT POLICE CHECKING PEOPLE AT THE ENTRANCE STADIUM WHERE THE CONCERT IS TAKING PLACE WOMEN IN THE STADIUM VARIOUS OF PEOPLE AT THE CONCERT
  • Embargoed: 8th December 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Colombia
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA146KLBHSJYAL3BPSITXEVYFJL
  • Story Text: Colombian bombshell Shakira drove fans wild when she returned to her home city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia on Wednesday (November 15) to give a benefit concert. Proceeds from the sell-out gig are going to help children displaced by Colombia's four-decade-long civil war.
    The star bewitched fans during her four hour show at Barranquilla's Metropolitan Stadium, part of her 'Oral Fixation' tour. She performed in front of a 50,000 of her adoring fans eager to hear her belt out some of her greatest hits and to see the hip-shaking moves for which the latino superstar is famous.
    Shakira was not the only act present at what has become known as the festival of the Caribbean. A number of other Colombian stars from the same Caribbean zone appeared on stage making the show yet more eclectic.
    Apart from Shakira's wide repertoire which includes elements of Middle Eastern music, tango and Andean influences, Joe Arroyo added some salsa and other local artists Jorge Celedón, los Hermanos Zuleta and Checo Acosta stunned the crowd with some of Colombia's very own cumbia and vallenato music.
    Before the concert Shakira shared her emotion at being back home and playing to those who have made her who she is today.
    "(Talking of the concert in her home city) This to me is like returning to a mother's embrace, this is what Barranquilla is to me, the big breast that fed and nurtured me as a human being, a woman and an artist. And (it is great) to be able to meet with the people from whom I learned so much and say thank you and to pay homage to them too, a homage to my home turf (and people), who deserve the best," she said.
    Shakira, now sporting a more conservative honey blond hairstyle moved in her characteristic sensual style, singing 16 songs from her vast collection, including the international super hit 'Hips don't lie' and many of her Spanish language songs including those from earlier in her career.
    The money raised from the concert will go to fund a new school, the sixth project of this type that is being built by the charity, the Pies Descalzos (Bare Feet) foundation, founded by the superstar. The school, which will benefit 1,800 youngsters of all ages, is due to open in January 2008 will be situated in the 'La Playa' area of Barranquilla .
    Shakira's Colombian tour comes at the height of the 29 year old's career. This year, Shakira dominated the seventh annual Latin Grammy Awards winning four of the five prizes for which she was nominated. She released an English language album, 'Laundry Service' in 2001 and has become a household name in most corners of the world.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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